A message from Alexandra Badzak, OAG Director and CEO

Dear OAG members, friends and supporters;

As director of an arts organization, one of the most important aspects of my job, and that of the Board of Directors and staff, is to ensure that the Ottawa Art Gallery is in service to our communities. Here in Ottawa, our communities, like so many across Canada and around the world, are struggling right now due the recent events in the United States. The heightened emotions that we are feeling brings focus to the systemic violence and racism in our own city and region targeted at Black, Indigenous and all people of colour. All of which have and will continue to find voice through the arts, and we need to use the power and privilege of our cultural institutions to amplify these voices, and to be a resource and a support. We have much work to do. It starts with words and a commitment that our words will lead to meaningful, continuous action and fundamental change.

First the words.

At a recent meeting, the Ottawa Art Gallery Board of Directors passed the following resolution:

On behalf of the Ottawa Art Gallery, we condemn racism and all acts of violence and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, language, sexual orientation, gender identity and other forms of discriminatory intolerance. We will continue to work with and listen to our communities to help dismantle systems of oppression and injustice through our role as a cultural leader and community hub. 

In solidarity,

Alexandra Badzak

Director and CEO

Ottawa Art Gallery